African Medley

Our October meeting saw the return of Dougal Urquhart, ranger at Cudmore Grove, with a talk on “African Medley”.

Dougal and his wife have made four trips to Africa over the last 7 years visiting Gambia, Namibia, Ethiopia and Morocco. He has a passion for bird watching and nature in general preferring to stay at eco-lodges along the way. He showed us a collection of slides of birds including the Red Billed Fire Finch, Grey Heron, Osprey, Red Billed Hornbill and Flamingo, to name but a few. He was also able to show us the rare Ethiopian Wolf which very much resembled a Fox.

Dougal is an excellent speaker and all enjoyed the evening tremendously.

Next meeting - a change

Our next get together is on the 24th November and there is a change to our programme Jackie Marshall-Ward will give us a talk on “Upstairs, Downstairs”.

Visitors are welcome at a cost of £5.00. Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.

Successful Trial of Restorative Justice Completed

Essex Police have successfully completed a six-months trial in West Essex, which includes the districts of Epping, Brentwood, Harlow and Thurrock. It is now intended to roll it out to the rest of Essex from October and the Police & Crime Commissioner is inviting those groups and agencies who might be interested in getting involved to attend one of two launch events:

28th October 12.00 – 15.00 at The Essex Golf and Country Club, Colchester, CO6 2JU.

The afternoon will begin with a buffet lunch, followed by talks and presentations focusing on the success of the West Essex RJ pilot, the impact of restorative justice on those that take part, and what the roll-out means for you in your organisation.

The launch will involve speeches from PCC Nick Alston, members of the RJ Hub and examples from those who have participated in Restorative Justice in Essex.

If you are interested in attending please contact Emma Callaghan, Restorative Justice Hub Development Manager, by email
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, before Friday 16th October.

So, What is Restorative Justice About?

Restorative Justice is a process which gives victims the opportunity to meet or communicate with those who have offended against them. It holds offenders to account and helps them take responsibility for the harm they have caused. Both parties discuss next steps and the offender can then make amends.

Victims are given the chance to explain to a criminal the impact a crime has had on them, ask questions of the offender and seek an apology. It enables offenders to be held to account for what they have done but also take responsibility for the harm they have caused.

If a face-to-face meeting is not appropriate they can do so indirectly via letters or messages. Restorative justice is used for less serious offences or conflicts, such as graffiti or anti-social behaviour. Everyone involved must consent to take part.

The Benefits are Apparent

85% victims are satisfied following an RJ process.

Re-offending is reduced by as much as 27%.

98% direct RJ ends in mutually agreed outcomes.

RJ decreases post-traumatic stress and allows victims of crime to return to work more quickly.

In neighbour disputes, RJ can help to avoid evictions and help neighbours live in peace.

Vishing Fraud Alert

Please be aware of recent fraud activity that is targeting businesses within our Region.

The Fraud

Fraudsters are ringing up company wage clerks/finance directors claiming to be from Barclay’s Fraud department and gaining permission to remotely access the victim’s computer system. This is on the pretence that their business account has been compromised. The victim opens up the bank account, the fraudster then transfers the money into what they state will be the company’s new, none compromised account. The funds are then automatically distributed in seconds. Total regional losses have exceeded £1 million.

Protect your company

Do not be afraid to end cold calls.

Do not to assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have got hold of some basic information about a potential victim, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.

If in any doubt hang up and call the bank yourself on numbers you know are genuine, however be sure to hang the phone up long enough to prevent the fraudster holding the line open.

NEVER call the bank back on the number the caller provides you.

The Bank will never call and ask for remote access to your computers or for passwords to access your accounts.

If you are a victim of “Vishing” call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online tool to report the fraud and receive a police crime reference number.DI 3159 Lee MortonSerious Economic Crime Unit

All About Balloons

Sue Kidd and Edward Lubbock came along to our September meeting and told us all about the joys and disasters of Hot Air Ballooning. They both got into ballooning in the mid-80s and are now the proud owners of their own balloon G-SUED. They explained that, like an aeroplane, you have to have a licence to fly a balloon and have to go through extensive training to get it. It is necessary to know the laws relating to flying a balloon, about the weather, how a balloon is put together and how to deal with emergencies. They explained that there are two types of balloon; those with hot air produced by a burner and those filled with hydrogen or helium. Gas balloons are smaller and rounder than hot air balloons and more likely to explode! The biggest dangers to a balloonist are pylons and mist, although less so since the advent of GPS systems. Balloons come in many shapes and sizes and are often used for advertising. We all enjoyed this fascinating insight into the world of balloons.

Next Meeting

Our next get together is on the 27th October when Douglas Urquhart returns with his talk on “African Medley”.

Visitors are welcome at a cost of £5.00. Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.

New App from Essex Police

Savvy smartphone users will soon be able to access the latest news from Essex Police through a brand new app.

To mark the first year anniversary of Essex Community Messaging (ECM), the ECM app was launched on Thursday October 1, 2015 and is available to download for iPhone and Android devices.

The app will enable residents to receive localised messages straight to their device, from Essex Police officers, staff and key partners such as Neighbourhood Watch.

Those who sign up will be able to select information on what they would like to receive – based on where they live, work or socialise. A new photo feature will also allow users to view images to identify stolen property and help find missing or wanted people.

In its first year, ECM has already proved useful in alerting residents to crime and missing people in their areas – and even assisted in the conviction of a bogus charity collector. Earlier this year, PC Sam Waters sent out a message to alert Wickford residents about a man who was believed to be knocking on doors requesting sponsorship money for charity and using the money for his own gain. The ECM message led to 12 people coming forward with information.

On the information that was received, a 30-year-old man was arrested and later admitted four counts of fraud by false representation. He received a 12 week suspended sentence at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

Chief Supt Luke Collison, ECM Project Lead, said:

Following the success of the initial ECM platform, we were keen to develop a smart phone app version. We recognise that more and more people in Essex use mobile technology and we clearly want to be a part of that in how we deliver modern policing.

We want to share as much information as we can with the public, quickly and efficiently so that communities are up to date on local policing issues. The ECM app allows us to target our messages to ensure we get the right information to the right people.

This is the first smart app that Essex Police has launched and we are convinced it will help many people stay safe across the county.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:

We’re continuing to develop Essex Community Messaging to make it even easier to get key crime and community safety information out to local people faster than ever. It’s also essential that ECM provides a channel for a two-way flow of information between Essex Police, our Watch groups, and the people of Essex.

I encourage everyone to sign up to ECM. It’s a great way of learning simple measures to prevent crime and it also provides an opportunity to report suspicious behaviour which may help Essex Police to bring criminals to justice.

Saltmarsh 75

The following information on this event was provided to the Parish Council by Saltmarsh 75's organizers - this looks like being a great event and worth either volunteering or, at least, popping along to track their progress. The folowing twio downloads might help in either of these endeavours:

Announcement from Maldon District Council (the organizers)

Saltmarsh 75 is a 2 day 75 mile walking/running event covering the entire coastal footpath of the Maldon District. The aim of the event is to raise the profile of the Maldon District and to encourage more visitors to the area.

The event starts at Marsh Farm Country Park, South Woodham Ferrers on Saturday 3rd October 2015, and finishes at Salcott-cum-Virley Village Hall on Sunday 4th October 2015. There will be an overnight stop on Saturday at the Star Inn in Steeple.

Competitors will be making their way through parishes/towns via the coastal footpath, with a few minor diversions, as shown in the table below. A provisional route map can be found on the reverse of the leaflets enclosed. (Ed. see link above)

Saturday 3rd October 2015

Sunday 4th October 2015

Stow Maries

Steeple

North Fambridge

Mayland

Purleigh

Latchingdon

Latchingdon

Mundon

Althorne

Maldon

Burnham-on-Crouch

Heybridge

Southminster

Goldhanger

Dengie

Tolleshunt Major

Tillingham

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

Bradwell-on-Sea

Tollesbury

St lawrence

Tolleshunt Knights

Steeple

Practically, this means that if any of your residents take to the coastal footpath that weekend, they will see a number of unfamiliar faces. There may also be a selection of cars, land rovers and minibuses that travel through your parish in order to transport competitors, marshals and other . support staff. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause you. Please be assured that we will do our very best to cause as little disruption to you and your parish as possible.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could begin informing your residents, and particularly local businesses, of our event. With approximately 200 competitors expected to take part, this presents an excellent opportunity for accommodation providers and local shops to increase their trade out of season. Please encourage them to become involved by displaying some of the leaflets enclosed; if you need more leaflets for your local businesses, please contact us.

lt would be fantastic if local residents came out to cheer on Saltmarsh 75 participants as they pass by and estimated timings for the event are enclosed for this purpose. We are always in need of volunteers for our event, so if any of your residents would like to become more involved, please pass our contact details to them and ask them to get in touch.

If you have any queries please contact us on 01621 854477 or email
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. More information on the event can be found at www.saltmarsh75.co.uk.

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed by all and signed by the chairman

Zone Warden Report: The Police and Zone Wardens have carried out speed checks in local villages, several were exceeding the limit and 46 mph in a 30 limit was the highest recorded speed. Culprits of littering will be prosecuted and somebody who threw a cigarette end out of a car window was fined £740 in court. Dog fouling culprits have and will continue to be prosecuted. Zone Wardens now wear high vis jackets for their own safety and are now more easily identifiable. A local source for selling the CBC food waste bins is being looked into. Zone Wardens will assist groups with equipment etc if they wish to carry out organised litter picking events in their area.

Borough Councillor: There is S106 money available for recreational capital projects from new build at Salcott and ideas will be considered.

Public-Have Your Say: Concern was raised about loose dogs. Concern was also raised about accidents and speeding along the main road through our villages, taking out telegraph poles at frequent intervals, people being hurt badly and even killed, see item 5.

Declarations of Interest: None

1. Playgrounds and Playing Fields: Work on Moss Hay is still on-going subject to availability of volunteers and workers time. Quotes for resurfacing and funding the footpath are still being investigated. Phil proposed, Nicky seconded and all agreed to ask Richard Playale to cut all the surrounding hedges that he can. A broken bin top at Salcott will be looked into for replacing and the possibility for using the S106 money for rolling Salcott meadow will be explored. It was decided not to obtain old equipment from Abberton and Langenhoe as it would be too costly in several ways.

2. Emergency Plan: Evidence would suggest that major incidents would now be dealt with by the main organizations, therefore it was decided that the PC’s role in any crisis would be much more about local communication and helping one another therefore a simple up to date list of contacts and local information points will be compiled.

3. Standing Orders and Code of Conduct: The NALC (National Association of Local Councils) latest version of Standing Orders is appropriate for us. We signed the CBC Code of Conduct which will be tweaked to encompass our needs and then all our policies will be grouped together on the website.

4. Grass cutting statement: A statement on frequency and cost of grass cutting on our fields for the future has been devised and agreed and will be placed on the website and noticeboards.

5. Speeding and Accidents: Noting recent accidents including a fatality concern has been expressed yet again about speeding vehicles along the main road. A campaign beginning with a petition for a speed limit of 40mph has been set up. Anyone wishing to sign please contact David Crook on 01206 735645 or email
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.We will also approach Colchester Association of Local Councils for the parish council representative on the Local Highways Panel for assistance in any way possible for this proposed speed limit.

6. Essex Rural Strategy Consultation Event: A report was circulated prior to the meeting which including mention of updating the strategy with what has already been achieved, future aims and new issues to be considered particularly ‘community safety’. The consultation will close at the end of September and the revised strategy should be published in early 2016.

7. Finances for Year 2014/15: To confirm that the financial report for 2014/15 has been externally audited and displayed on the noticeboards and website.The Parish Council continues to hold approximately one year’s funds in hand for possible emergencies.

8. Abberton Reservoir Rights of Way: A report from the last meeting was given indicating decisions madeincluding the purchase of a motorized wheelchair which can be used in the central section of footpaths. Having discussed the proposals on various aspects of the different sections of the footpath that are in our remit the parish council gave Phil a mandate to vote as instructed following the discussion. Maps will be produced to show the footpaths and who (cycles, walkers, horse riders) can use them. Also an update of all the developments will be published in the magazine shortly.

The next meeting will be on Tues 13th October 2015 at 7.30pm at Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough to include attendance from a Neighbourhood Watch representative and a report from the meeting at EA offices re Salcott flooding.

Winstred Hundred

Welcome to the Winstred Hundred Parish Council website.

The Parish Council owns, manages and funds the website but wants it to be a community resource acting as a shop window for everything that goes on in our area. If you have any comments or queries please contact the Parish Clerk or the Chairman via the links at the bottom of this page.

What's Happening in Winstred 100

If you want your event advertised on this calendar please contact the Parish Clerk (link at foot of this page).